What are the schools in Amsterdam like?

"Enrol in this school . Likely you will be waitlisted but it is worth being persistent and keeping in touch with the school. Siblings stand a higher chance of getting in to the school. In response to some of the other comments I have read from previous correspondents I can tell you that many of the criticisms of AICS (no parking lot, small playground, converted office building for the school campus) are common to all schools in Amsterdam. In fact, very few schools here have large outside play areas due to lack of space (and the weather!) This is not a problem exclusive to AICS. There is a large parking lot for bikes at the school. But a parking lot for cars? No. Most people walk, bike, tram, bus or Metro to the school. Or they bring their kid to school by car and drop them off in the street. Most of the children at AICS are english speaking and many are multi-lingual. There are also a number of local dutch kids amongst the students. AICS offers an affordable international education within an english language curriculum. It is Dutch run & subsidised by the Dutch government. Fees are closer to E6000 instead of E20-30,000. We have found AICS to be a friendly and welcoming school. The teaching faculty seem to be supportive, nurturing and genuinely interested in the well-being of the students. The school building is a converted office building and it is bursting at the seams due to the increasing student numbers. There are plans to move to a larger, purpose built facility within the next few years. AICS has long waitlists for some year groups and there are intake interviews for every child - this is standard procedure. If you are lucky enough to get a space for your child we can highly recommend AICS as a brilliant primary school. And a high school with a challenging IB programme which keep evolving and improving. Recommended," explained one expat living in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

"The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is one of the best international schools in Amsterdam. It is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school offering an international curriculum for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. ISA offers a rigorous academic program that prepares students for success in college and beyond. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, art, and drama. The British School of Amsterdam (BSA) is another excellent international school in Amsterdam. It is a co-educational day school offering an international curriculum for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. BSA offers a comprehensive academic program that prepares students for success in college and beyond. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, art, and drama. The International School of The Hague (ISH) is a top-rated bilingual school in Amsterdam. It is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school offering an international curriculum for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. ISH offers a rigorous academic program that prepares students for success in college and beyond. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, art, and drama," said one parent with children at in Amsterdam.